189. Most of the tick word-signs are joined freely to a preceding word without risk of illegibility, although when thus used they lose positional distinction, which can only be preserved at the beginning of a phrase. Like many other words, they may, in the midst of phrases, be readily read, though out of their normal places.

190. Or (first position) and but (second position) should be used only at the beginning of phrases, because, if joined to a preceding word, they may conflict with each other or with the perpendicular a tick, to be explained hereafter.

191. On also is excluded from phrases, except at the beginning, for fear of conflict with should, which is freely phrased.

192. He and I must always be carefully distinguished, whether at the beginning of a phrase or attached to a preceding word. (For methods of securing this distinction, see Paragraphs 220 and 221 and note to Paragraph 186.)

Exercise

193. The following exercise illustrates the manner in which of, to, should, he and who are safely phrased, though connected with a preceding word, thereby losing positional distinction:

be said to by means of by reason of do you mean to

Tick" Word-Signs

in such manner as to

it is to

it should

it should do

it should not

it should not be

on account of

so as to

so many as to

there should

there should be

there should have

there should not be

those who are (are downward)

you are to make (are upward)

you should do

you should never

you should not be

want of means

want of money

Exercise

194. In the following list, he, attached to a preceding word, is to be made downward:

after he

all he

all he asks

all he says

because he

because he was

because he would be

does he

does he ask

does he say

for he must

for he was

if he if he was that he think he is think he is not though he thus he when he when he is where he where he may where he is